First Images & Official Synopsis From 'Dogtooth' Director Yorgos Lanthimos' New Film 'Alps'

By
Kevin Jagernauth
|
The PlaylistAugust 5, 2011 at 1:43AM

It was a bit of a shocker when Yorgos Lanthimos' provocative "Dogtooth" landed on the Best Foreign Film nominations at the Oscars earlier this year, if only because it's exactly the kind nervy, unique filmmaking that the Academy typically shies away from, particularly in that usually very conservative category. But the recognition spoke to the power of Lanthimos' film, one that shocked, thrilled and disturbed audiences around the world, took home honors from a variety film festivals (including the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes) and put the Greek filmmaker on the map. Well, Lanthimos is back and and will surely be pushing buttons again with "Alps" which will premiere in Venice in a few short weeks, playing in competition.

It was a bit of a shocker when Yorgos Lanthimos' provocative "Dogtooth" landed on the Best Foreign Film nominations at the Oscars earlier this year, if only because it's exactly the kind nervy, unique filmmaking that the Academy typically shies away from, particularly in that usually very conservative category. But the recognition spoke to the power of Lanthimos' film, one that shocked, thrilled and disturbed audiences around the world, took home honors from a variety film festivals (including the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes) and put the Greek filmmaker on the map. Well, Lanthimos is back and and will surely be pushing buttons again with "Alps" which will premiere in Venice in a few short weeks, playing in competition.

“It’s darker and funnier. It goes to each extreme a little bit more,” Lanthimos said earlier this year, so prepare yourselves. The film brings "Dogtooth" actress Aggeliki Papoulia back into the fold in a story about a group of people who agree to stand in for the lost loved ones of others, replicating their behavior and gestures, to help with the grieving process. But we imagine that's just the tip of the iceberg of how far this will go. It's a bit of an interesting switch for the director who brought a twisted take to child-rearing with "Dogtooth" as he now tackles what happens in the wake of death. We can't wait.

Get a sneak peek with some images from the film and the official synopsis below. No word yet on when it will make its North American debut. [Film Press Plus]

A Nurse, a Paramedic, a Gymnast and her Coach have formed a service for hire. They stand in for dead people by appointment, hired by the relatives, friends, or colleagues of the deceased. The company is called Alps while their leader, the Paramedic, calls himself Mont Blanc.

Although the Alps members operate under a discipline regime demanded by their leader, the Nurse doesn't... From the director of the Oscar-nominated DOGTOOTH